When Will the Napa Panera Bread Open?

There were tempting pastries on the counter inside Panera Bread in north Napa Friday afternoon, but would-be customers trudged away unserved.

A sign on the front door of the bakery-café invited them to return for a grand opening Nov. 14.

A now-hiring banner hangs over the door, but the Panera Bread corporate website doesn't yet list the Napa location, indicating the nearest Paneras currently operating in Fairfield, Vacaville and Santa Rosa.

Panera Bread bakery-cafés offer fresh breads, pastries, soups and salads and provide free wi-fi for customers.

Founded in 1981, according to panera.com, "Panera Bread is expanding quickly across North America, operating 1,625 company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes in 44 states and in Ontario, Canada as of September 25, 2012." 

When Panera opens in the Napa Crossing shopping center at 1735 Trancas Street, it will join a string of other chains that have chosen Napa for their first forays into wine country.

Habit Burger, Chipotle Mexican Grill and ULTA Beauty have all opened their doors there in the past few months.

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Have you shopped or eaten at Napa Crossing yet? Tell us in the comments.

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